Leave Cusco before sunrise for a full-day hiking adventure in the high Andes near Ausangate. After hotel pickup between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m., travel for approximately three hours to Pacchanta, a small mountain community at about 4,200 meters above sea level, where breakfast is served before the hike begins.
From Pacchanta, walk into the Ausangate area of the Vilcanota mountain range, following a route of high-Andean lakes, glacier scenery and alpaca-filled landscapes. The trail starts with a gradual ascent and later becomes gentler. After approximately two hours of hiking, reach the first viewpoint referred to on our itinerary as Azulcocha, then continue through the Seven Lakes circuit on the return toward Pacchanta.
Back in Pacchanta, enjoy the included lunch and, if you wish, use the available time to relax in the local hot springs; hot springs admission is paid separately. The return to Cusco is scheduled for around 6:00 p.m.
Seven Glacial Lakes in the Ausangate Mountains
The Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour is a full-day high-altitude hike from Cusco into the mountain landscapes surrounding Pacchanta and the Ausangate massif. The route combines glacial lakes, snow-covered peaks, open puna landscapes, alpacas and encounters with communities that continue to preserve Andean traditions.
The experience begins before sunrise in Cusco and reaches Pacchanta in time for breakfast. From there, the hike gradually climbs into the Seven Lakes circuit, where the colors of the water, surrounding rock formations and nearby glaciers create a different landscape around each section of the trail.
This is not simply a visit to one viewpoint. It is a walking journey through a high-Andean environment, with several lakes along the route and time to appreciate the scale of the Vilcanota mountain range before returning to Pacchanta for lunch and the option of relaxing in the local hot springs.
Highlights of the Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour
- Hike through the high Andes near the snow-covered Ausangate massif.
- Explore the Seven Lakes circuit from the community of Pacchanta.
- See glacial landscapes, high-altitude wetlands and dramatic mountain scenery.
- Walk through areas where alpacas are commonly seen grazing in the puna.
- Enjoy breakfast before the hike and lunch after returning to Pacchanta.
- Have the option to relax in the Pacchanta hot springs after the hike; admission is paid separately.
Which seven lakes are on the Ausangate route?
The seven lakes currently recognized in the official tourism inventory for the Ausangate–Pacchanta circuit are:
- Hatun Puk'a Qocha
- Huch'uy Puk'acocha
- Oqe Qocha
- China Uturunku Qocha
- Ch'uñu Qocha
- Orqo Uturunku Qocha
- Anqas Qocha
Local, historical and commercial sources sometimes use different spellings or older names for the lakes. On our itinerary, the first viewpoint is referred to as Azulcocha, the name provided in the original operating itinerary.
Why choose this Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour?
- It combines several high-altitude lakes in one full-day hiking route rather than focusing on a single viewpoint.
- The journey includes both the natural scenery of Ausangate and the living landscape around Pacchanta.
- Breakfast and lunch are included, helping structure a long day in the mountains.
- The gradual beginning of the trail allows time to settle into the hiking pace at altitude.
- The route offers many opportunities for landscape and travel photography.
- After the hike, Pacchanta provides an optional hot-springs experience before the drive back to Cusco.
Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour Itinerary from Cusco
Early hotel pickup in Cusco
Your day begins before sunrise with hotel pickup scheduled between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. Leaving early gives us time to reach the Ausangate area and complete the high-altitude hiking route during the day.
Drive to Pacchanta
Travel from Cusco toward Pacchanta for approximately three hours. Pacchanta is a small Andean community near the Ausangate massif, located at about 4,200 meters above sea level and used as the starting point for the hike.
Breakfast before the hike
Once in Pacchanta, take time for the included breakfast before beginning the walk. This early meal is an important pause after the drive from Cusco and before spending several hours on the mountain trail.
Gradual ascent through the high Andes
The hike begins with a gradual uphill section before the terrain becomes gentler. As you move into the Ausangate landscape, look across open puna, mountain wetlands and snow-covered peaks, with alpacas often visible along the route.
Azulcocha viewpoint
After approximately two hours of hiking, reach the first viewpoint identified in our operating itinerary as Azulcocha. This is a natural place to pause, enjoy the high-Andean scenery and take photographs before continuing through the lake circuit.
Continue through the seven-lake circuit
Continue walking through the Ausangate–Pacchanta circuit, surrounded by lakes, native high-altitude vegetation and glacier-fed mountain scenery. The current official tourism inventory recognizes the circuit as Hatun Puk'a Qocha, Huch'uy Puk'acocha, Oqe Qocha, China Uturunku Qocha, Ch'uñu Qocha, Orqo Uturunku Qocha and Anqas Qocha.
Return to Pacchanta, lunch and hot springs
After completing the hiking circuit, return to Pacchanta for the included lunch. There is also time to relax in the local hot springs if you choose. Admission to the hot springs is not included and is paid separately.
Return to Cusco
After lunch and the time available in Pacchanta, begin the drive back to Cusco. Arrival is expected at approximately 6:00 p.m., although travel time can vary depending on road and traffic conditions.
Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour Price and Booking Information
Select your travel date and available service option to check the current price and booking availability for the Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour.
Please note: breakfast and lunch are included. Horse service, optional tips, additional entrance fees and admission to the Pacchanta hot springs are not included unless specifically indicated in your confirmed service.
Group Price
Private Price
What’s Included in Your Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour?
What is included?
- Transportation during the tour.
- Guide.
- Breakfast in Pacchanta.
- Lunch in Pacchanta.
- Tour entrance fees listed as included in the service.
What is not included?
- Optional tips.
- Additional entrance fees not expressly included in the tour service.
- Horse service for the hike.
- Admission to the Pacchanta hot springs.
- Personal expenses.
What to Know Before Your Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour
- Duration: Full day. Hotel pickup is scheduled between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m., with return to Cusco at approximately 6:00 p.m.
- Activity: High-altitude hiking.
- Difficulty: Moderate.
- Maximum altitude: Approximately 4,756 m above sea level at Hatun Puk'a Qocha, according to the current official tourism inventory for the Seven Lakes circuit.
- Pacchanta: The hike begins from the community of Pacchanta at approximately 4,200 m above sea level.
- Altitude: Even with a moderate technical difficulty, walking above 4,000 m can feel considerably more demanding than hiking at lower elevations.
- Acclimatization: Spending time in Cusco or another high-altitude location before this hike can help your body adjust to the elevation.
- Weather: Conditions in the high Andes can change quickly. Cold temperatures, strong sun, wind and cloud can occur during the same day.
- Clothing: Dress in layers and carry a warm outer layer and rain protection appropriate for mountain conditions.
- Footwear: Wear comfortable hiking shoes with good grip for rocky and uneven terrain.
- Sun protection: Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. UV exposure is strong at high altitude.
- Water: Carry sufficient water for the hike and stay hydrated throughout the day.
- Horse service: Horses are not included in the tour price. If you think you may need assistance, ask about current options before departure.
- Hot springs: Time is available in Pacchanta to use the hot springs after the hike, but admission is paid separately.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour
How long is the Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour?
It is a full-day tour from Cusco. Hotel pickup is scheduled between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m., and the return to Cusco is approximately 6:00 p.m.
Where does the Ausangate 7 Lakes hike start?
The hike begins in Pacchanta, a high-Andean community near the Ausangate massif at approximately 4,200 meters above sea level. The drive from Cusco takes around three hours according to the operating itinerary.
What are the names of the seven Ausangate lakes?
The seven lakes currently recognized in the official tourism inventory for the Ausangate–Pacchanta circuit are Hatun Puk'a Qocha, Huch'uy Puk'acocha, Oqe Qocha, China Uturunku Qocha, Ch'uñu Qocha, Orqo Uturunku Qocha and Anqas Qocha. Local and historical spellings may vary, while our operating itinerary also refers to the first viewpoint as Azulcocha.
How difficult is the Ausangate 7 Lakes hike?
The tour is classified as moderate. The trail begins with a gradual ascent and later becomes gentler, but the high altitude can make the hike feel more demanding than a similar walk at lower elevation.
What is the maximum altitude on this tour?
One of the highest officially documented points on the Seven Lakes circuit is Hatun Puk'a Qocha at approximately 4,756 meters above sea level.
Should I acclimatize before hiking the Ausangate 7 Lakes?
Because the route takes place above 4,000 meters, spending time at altitude before the hike is advisable. Walk at a comfortable pace, stay hydrated and pay attention to how you feel throughout the day.
Are breakfast and lunch included?
Yes. Breakfast in Pacchanta before the hike and lunch after returning from the Seven Lakes circuit are included in the tour.
Are the Pacchanta hot springs included?
Time is available to relax in the Pacchanta hot springs after the hike, but admission to the hot springs is not included and must be paid separately.
Can I use a horse for the hike?
Horse service is not included in the tour price. If you think you may need assistance during the hike, ask about current options before your departure date.
How is this hike different from Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake?
The Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour follows a circuit through several high-altitude lakes and mountain landscapes around Pacchanta. Rainbow Mountain is centered on the colorful Vinicunca landscape, while Humantay is primarily a hike to a single glacial lake. The Ausangate route offers a longer sequence of lakes and broader high-Andean scenery.
What should I bring for the Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour?
Bring comfortable hiking shoes, warm layered clothing, rain protection, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, sufficient water and personal items you may need during a full day at high altitude.